Meinongs Theory of Pure Object

Abstract

The notion of pure object, which is the object free of any being, is the fundamental piece of Meinong’s Theory of Objects. Thanks to this notion, it is possible to justify a coherent theory of predication where the subject can be constituted by fictitious objects, even impossible objects. Some analytic philosophers, without a good understanding of Meinong’s Theory of Objects, as in the case of Russell, have rejected the idea of impossible objects because it violates the principle of non-contradiction. On the contrary, the impossible object seems to be absolutely necessary in order to formulate the very principle of non-contradiction. An analysis of the position of the pure objects in relation to both the different states of an object and other objects of knowledge follows.